By Emmanouel Sofillas, Staff Writer
As I read into the pages of Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations,” I found myself on an unexpected journey—one that traversed the depths of the human mind and offered an exploration into philosophy. While this book was written millennia ago, it still has valuable knowledge that is impactful today.
Aurelius wrote this not as a book for public consumption, but rather as notes to himself. He brings a raw authenticity that resonates deeply within the reader that can connect with the author. The personal nature of the thinking within “Meditations” provides a unique connection, as if one has access to the mind of the Roman emperor. It’s a conversation with oneself and explores the struggles and triumphs that define the human experience.
One part of the book that resonated with me was its emphasis on the fact that we are limited in our ability to control what is external. Therefore, we can control what is internal to bring stability to ourselves.
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Understanding this I feel I would help lots of students at Manhattan College as they attempt to create better habits in their daily lives.
The structure of the book is divided into twelve chapters, mirroring the various stages of Aurelius’s life. Each chapter unfolds like a diary entry, capturing the emperor’s thoughts at different stages. This format adds a dynamic quality to the reading experience, allowing one to witness the evolution of Aurelius over time.
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
When I first started the book, I noticed that the author pays thanks to all the people who taught him valuable life lessons. He is aware of those who brought him up and lists those valuable lessons he learned. As I progressed through the book, the last chapter became darker as the author realized that he is at the final stages of his life and it concerns death, emphasizing the fact to show everyone, even if you do not know them, compassion.
There is something eerie about the fact that you read a person’s diary from their perspective, from the beginning of their life to their end, that reiterated the theme of impermanence. It almost feels like the reader should not be allowed to see this deep inside the reader’s mind. For example, the actual events that happened to the author and the actual people who interacted with Aurelius. The uniqueness of this book is that the information was exclusively for the author’s mind.
While “Meditations” could be considered ancient wisdom, its relevance still exists today. As I became immersed myself in the text, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the author’s challenges and those of society today. The themes of resilience and the pursuit of virtue are as applicable today as they were in the Roman Empire, thousands of years ago.